PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Transcription

1 MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY PS/1 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Basic Programme Details 1 Programme title Foundation Degree in Film Production & Management 2 Mode(s) and duration 2 years FT/3-4 years PT 3 Awarding institution MMU 4 Teaching institution(s) South Cheshire College (a member of the Cheshire & Warrington FE & HE Consortium), MMU Cheshire 5 Final award(s)/title(s) FdA in Film Production & Management 6 NQF position Foundation Degree 7 Stage award(s)/title(s) Cert HE Film Production and Management 8 Home Department Dept. of Interdisciplinary Studies 9 Home Faculty MMU Cheshire 10 UCAS code(s) N/A 11 Type of collaborative provision This full and part time provision will be delivered by South Cheshire College in collaboration with MMU Cheshire. 12 Collaborative partner(s) South Cheshire College MMU 13 Date/outcome of last MMU review/approval 14 PS/1 effective date: September QAA Benchmark Statement(s) 16 Date/outcome of last Subject Review 17 PSB(s) N/A 18 Date/outcome of last PSB approval(s) N/A

2 Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes 19 Programme Aims 1. To deliver a programme focused upon project based learning through the creation of marketable feature film and short film products. 2. To develop NQF level 4 student s academic understanding of film and to develop appropriate film production and management skills. 3. To generate new moving image businesses and to prepare students for self employment through a focus upon national and international markets and the formation of an independent production company for each yearly intake of students. 4. To prepare NQF level 4 students for direct employment in junior roles within the moving image industry through a mirroring of programme content with industry practice and student mentoring from freelance film professionals. 5. To prepare NQF level 4 students for further academic progression onto the BA Hons in Studies in Film. 20 Programme Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the programme the students will be able to:- - Demonstrate professional practice in the production and management of films. - Demonstrate self management skills and the ability to produce and manage a film. - Demonstrate creative and technical film production skills. - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of film narrative form, the social and cultural context of film, the ideological, social and institutional frameworks of film production. - Formulate knowledge, present argument and critically evaluate. - Contextualize film form, content and ideas. 21 Stage Learning Outcomes Level 1 At level one the students will engage in learning through the production and management of a feature film; they will develop their skills and creativity through a series of production workshops; and they will develop their knowledge and understanding of film narrative and film s place in modern society. The Students will have opportunity to develop their academic abilities through the formulation of knowledge, the presentation of argument and critical evaluation. At level one learning will be supported through the guidance of media professionals

3 and the structures of the student film production company. Level 2 At level two students will focus upon traditional and modern distribution opportunities for film and they will manage and produce their own short film productions. They will expand their knowledge and understanding through an exploration the social and cultural context of film; and the ideological, social and institutional frameworks of film production. Their academic knowledge base will be expanded and challenged by a broader consideration of film context. They will have opportunity to develop their own arguments about film context and evaluate their own creative results in relation to audience, established production codes and conventions and film history. At level two students will take responsibility for their own productions. They will have to manage many processes themselves using the experiences gained through level one to guide their practice. Additional Level 3 It is the intention of this course to articulate with a distinctive Level 3 experience BA Hons Studies in film The focus at level three will be for students to critically explore the creative elements of film and to consider film as art. Students will engage in a course of study designed to challenge understanding of accepted film form and to experiment with film structure. Students will be encouraged to express themselves through experimentation with form and content. They will expand their understanding and knowledge through a study of the philosophy of structure and its relationship with life meanings. Students will have the option to write an extended essay about a particular aspect of film or they will create a self study that analyses their own project work. 22 Teaching/Learning and Assessment Strategies The programme team in liaison with the MMU Link Tutor will ensure that development of learning, teaching and assessment strategies will be conducted for this programme in line with the University s Learning and Teaching Strategy. The overall aim is to promote lifelong learning and to develop the key graduate skills to promote autonomous learners. These skills will be transferable into other areas of academic study and the work environment. Project based learning and experience of professional practices This programme focuses upon project based learning. It is designed to provide students with a professional environment through the formation of a course based film production company. Students will be invited to participate in a full range of commercial production processes from conception of ideas, through fund raising, production and distribution. These elements will be underpinned by an academic exploration of film and contextualization. Students will also participate in workshops designed to extend technical skills and creative expression. This course will be managed and integrated through the usual MMU structures.

4 It should be noted that a modern understanding of film will be encouraged and as such the focus of production work will not necessarily be shot on celluloid but will use digital alternatives. The film production company established for the course represents the core element for learning on the FdA. And students can expect to engage in a real application of all production processes through the day to day running of the college established production company. The college company will be run on a professional footing with students expected to manage all aspects of company management and company promotion. The philosophy of the course is to bring the professional film making environment to the student rather than send the student out to observe professional practice through work experience. This method of education should enable students to have a greater level of responsibility during the production process and increase their understanding of a mostly self employed industry. During the course media professionals working in senior production roles within the college film company will guide the students through the practical film making process. They will treat students as trainees and develop the students understanding of professional practices. Following the professional input students should understand the basic professional etiquette of a film set and should be able to make the transition into a trainee position on a professional film production more easily. Students will also be guided in the development of advanced practical skills through the elevation of their responsibilities/production roles to a much higher level than would be normally offered a novice professional. Students will learn about gripping, camerawork, assistant direction, lighting and production management. Learning Learning will be achieved by means of a variety of effective and innovatory strategies appropriate to the level of study. The standards of the subject and the quality of the student experience will be assured, and fit within the national frameworks currently in operation. These strategies will include formal lectures, structured follow up sessions, workshops and student-led seminars. The use of discussion and analysis of relevant case study material will be encouraged. There will be an emphasis on the vocational, through project based learning ensuring both vocational and academic rigor within the delivery and coursework. The MMU Link Tutor will ensure that the teaching team are aware of the initiatives taken by the University and Faculty Learning and Teaching Committees, e.g. on-line learning, and they will encourage the need for variety to suit the needs of a diverse student cohort. Tutors will be used as facilitators as part of the learning process. Portfolio development will take place as a means of fostering students critical selfawareness. Presentations will also be used as part of the skills development process. All assignments will be expected to utilise the Harvard referencing system and marks are normally deducted for students failure to utilise the system. The overall aim is to provide a balanced range of activities that will contribute to the learning experience in a positive manner and prepare the students for their personal futures by adding value to organisations for which they work. They will also be prepared for future academic study at level three and beyond. Assessment will also comprise a variety of experiences to complement these learning experiences. It will include the assessment of portfolios, essay writing, project work, presentations, practical exercises and demonstration of practical

5 production techniques. The assessment strategies are designed to provide fitness for purpose for the individual units of study. The balanced and varied range of activities and assessments are intended to contribute to the overall learning experience. 23 Programme structures, levels, credits, awards and curriculum map LEVEL 1 Semester 1 Project based learning - delivery through lecturer mentoring Research, preproduction techniques, production management techniques 20 Credits Assessment through preproduction portfolio. Practical application of production skills - delivery through workshops Moving image production - camera operation, directing light, sound recording, directing the action, working with artists 20 Credits Assessment through practical exercises and portfolio. Theory - delivery through lectures and seminars Theory of film - film form analysis methodological approaches to film narrative 20 Credits Assessment through analysis writing and presentation. Semester 2 Work based learning Feature Film production 40 Credits Assessment through practical observation and quality of artistic product Project Review Project report and evaluation 20 Credits Assessment through essay writing LEVEL 2 Semester 1 Project based learning - delivery through lecturer mentoring Post production and distribution techniques 20 Credits Assessment through post production and marketing portfolio. Practical application of production skills - delivery through workshops Film production - editing and packaging 20 Credits Assessment through practical exercises and portfolio. Theory - delivery through lectures and seminars Theory of Film, Culture and Society the relationship of film, culture and society. Ideological, social and institutional frameworks 20 Credits Assessment through analysis writing and presentation. Semester 2 Self Directed Work Based Learning Short film production 40 Credits Assessment through practical observation and quality of artistic product

6 Project Review project report and evaluation 20 Credits Assessment through essay writing 24 Additional information This programme is designed to ensure that work based and college based learning are synonymous with each other to ensure that knowledge is applied and utilized within the workplace. The unique methodology behind this FdA is in the bringing of the workplace into the educational environment through the creation of a working production company which the students will manage and develop for the duration of their course. Through this professional work base professional freelance film makers will work directly with the students in the creation of a full length feature film and will demonstrate the necessary working practices for operating in a professional production environment. 25 Points of reference Internal: MMU Quality Assurance Manual University Mission and Strategic Plan MMU Common Regulatory Framework Regulations for the Academic Awards of the University Generic Assessment Criteria Full Time Programme Management Group MMU Foundation Degree Policy MMU Collaborative Audit 2006 External: Cheshire & Warrington FE & HE Consortium: Protocol for Collaborative Provision Cheshire & Warrington FE & HE Consortium: Strategic Plan QAA Benchmark statement for communication, media, film and cultural studies, QAA Benchmarks for Foundation Degrees External Examiners reports